NTNU Campus Expansion: A Chat With Trond Åm

The NTNU Campus Expansion

A Chat with Trond Åm

Photo: Venstre

As many have heard, NTNU is about to start a huge project to expand the campus in Trondheim.

Over the past few months, there have been many a debate on the proper course of action for this expansion. Many of the current plans have new buildings laid out in the area that is currently Høgskoleparken on the south end of the city. Many living in the area disagree that this is the best plot of land to use for the expansion.

The List caught up with Trond Åm, leader of the Literature House in Trondheim and a member of Trondheim’s city council to ask him about an article he wrote on the matter that recently appeared in Adressa.

Q: How has the community engagement been when it comes to such a big project?

“It’s been very positive. There have been a number of public debates on the issue thanks to NTNU. The dialogue between the public and school has been good as there has been no final decision made yet.”

Q: There have been a number of areas other than Høgskoleparken that seem suited to being built on or renovated to integrate the new campus as part of the city. What are some of those solutions?

“There are many available areas near Gløshaugen that are already available or possible to use for the university’s expansion. Amongst those possibilities is building along Elgesetergate.”

“Building along Elgeseter would be good for NTNU and the area, but it is quite a high traffic road and not the easiest to turn it into an attractive campus. Behind Studentersamfundet in the empty lot, there is another very good option. It wasn’t positive that they could build there safely, but it was recently found that it is possible and would also lead to the expansion of the park areas around Nidelva.”

Q: Why is community engagement important with this project?

“Parks are not going to become less important in the future. “

“People in the neighbourhood around Høgskoleparken, students, and other community members have been very engaged. The expansion of the campus will have a big impact on the city and it is important that it is an attractive campus and that it offers a mutual interest between the university and the population of Trondheim.”

On 6 March Trondheim Kommune will speak directly about the campus expansion plans.

“There have already been two debates held at Litteraturhuset, the Trondheim Arkitekts Forening will be holding another on 19 March. This one will be quite important and quite interesting as it comes after the opinions on the project from Trondheim Kommune”.